After a 3-0 outing in the preseason, Buffalo Bills HC Joe Brady and GM Brandon Beane cut down their roster from 90 players to 53. There were some surprises in the mix, but ultimately these are the guys (as of now) that the two have designated to take the field on September 13 when the Buffalo Bills take on the Houston Texans.

Expect more moves to be made as we are closing in on the upcoming waiver wire where the Bills sit at 26th. For now though, here’s your look at the Buffalo Bills initial 53-man roster.

Offense (24)

Quarterbacks (2)

Starter: Josh Allen
Backup: Kyle Allen
OUT: Shane Buechele

I really thought Buechele could have made this roster but he clearly didn’t do enough in the eyes of Joe Brady. However, this does help free up other space to work with.

Running backs (3)

Starter: James Cook III
Backups: Ty Johnson, Ray Davis
OUT: Frank Gore Jr., FB Ben VanSumeren, Ian Wheeler

No surprise ultimately, but Frank Gore Jr and Ian Wheeler did shine during the preseason at moments. Would love to see the Bills get one of them on the practice squad.

Wide Receivers (5)

Starters: DJ Moore, Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman
Backups: Joshua Palmer, Skyler Bell
OUT/PUP: Tyrell Shavers (PUP), Stephen Gosnell, Ja’Mori Maclin, Trent Sherfield Sr., Max Tomczak, Mecole Hardman Jr., Dante Pettis, Quentin Skinner

I am not surprised that Hardman didn’t make this team however it is notable that neither Sherfield or Pettis did. Special teams provided an opportunity for all three guys, but the Bills chose a different route. Expect to see Ray Davis in the return game.

Tight Ends (4)

Starters: Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox
Backups: Jackson Hawes, Keleki Latu
OUT: Shane Zylstra

With the NFL’s increased usage of 12-personnel the Bills roll with four tight ends.

Offensive Line (10)

Starters (from left to right): Dion Dawkins, Alec Anderson, Connor McGovern, O’Cyrus Torrence, Spencer Brown
Backups: Jude Bowry, Austin Corbett, Lloyd Cushenberry, Ar’maj Reed-Adams, Tylan Grable
OUT: Nick Broeker, Chase Lundt, Da’Metrius Weatherspoon, Bruno Fina, Sincere Haynesworth, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (traded to Colts)

Yesterday the Bills traded Sedrick Van Pran-Granger and a 2027 7th-round pick to the Colts for a 2027 6th-round pick. They’re still left with lots of depth in the trenches to work with in case of injury.

Defense (26)

Interior Defensive Line (6)

Starters: Ed Oliver, Deone Walker, T.J. Sanders
Backups: Landon Jackson, Greg Gaines, DeWayne Carter
OUT/IR/SUS: Zane Durant (reserve/injured), Phidarian Mathis (suspended), Travis Clayton, Zion Logue

Mathis will miss three games as result of a 2025 incident and Durant will miss a minimum of four games. Durant suffered a shoulder injury in the preseason finale and was placed on IR with a designation to return.

Edge Rushers (6)

Starters: Greg Rousseau, Bradley Chubb
Backups: TJ Parker, Michael Hoecht, Mike Danna, Javon Soloman
OUT: Andre Jones Jr., Cade Denhoff

A very deep position group for the Bills defense.

Linebackers (4)

Starters: Dorian Williams, Terrel Bernard
Backups: Kaleb Elarms-Orr, Joe Andreessen
OUT/IR: Jimmy Ciarlo, Keonta Jenkins, Theron Gaines, Otis Reese IV, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (reserve/injured)

Bummed to see Jenkins not make this roster after a strong preseason but hopefully Buffalo can find a way to keep him on the practice squad.

Defensive Backs (10)

Starters: Christian Benford, Dee Alford, Maxwell Hairston, CJ Gardner-Johnson, Cole Bishop
Backups: Jalon Kilgore, Damar Hamlin, Sam Franklin Jr., Davison Igbinosun, Jordan Hancock
OUT/NFI: Te’cory Couch, Anthony Kendall, Toriano Pride Jr., Geno Stone, Kani Walker, Jordan Dunbar, DJ Miller, Wande Owens, Dorian Strong (non-football injury)

Lots of movement in this group. I expected Stone and Pride to have their status in question, but did think Kani Walker could have made this roster. We’ll see if it shakes out more.

Specialists (3)

In: P Tommy Doman Jr., K Tyler Bass, LS Reid Ferguson
OUT: P Mitch Wishnowsky

Not surprised to see the Bills roll with the rookie Doman at punter.

Again, waiver wires are about to be processed, but here is your first look at the Buffalo Bills initial 53-man roster!